Dehumidifier for High Airflow Rate Systems

ABSTRACT

An HVAC system includes a dehumidifier having an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and an expansion device. The dehumidifier is disposed in at least one of a main supply duct, a main return duct, and an indoor unit of the HVAC system. The dehumidifier comprises no application specific air moving device, as the airflow through the dehumidifier is generated solely by an indoor fan disposed in the indoor unit of the HVAC system such that all of the airflow through an air circulation path of the HVAC system passes through the dehumidifier, regardless of whether the dehumidifier is being operated to dehumidify or provide humidity to the airflow.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems maygenerally include one or more dehumidification components and/orsystems, commonly referred to as a dehumidifier. Current dehumidifiersoperate with an airstream that is either separate from a primary HVACsystem or use only a portion of the airstream from the primary HVACsystem. This may result in the dehumidifier running for extended periodsthat extend beyond a period for a cooling operation and/or runningcontinuously in an attempt to achieve a target humidity. Accordingly,for current dehumidifiers to dehumidify an entire dwelling conditionedby the primary HVAC system, significant operating runtimes and/orsignificant operating costs may be incurred.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and/orair conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosed as comprising: an indoorunit comprising a blower configured to generate an airflow; and adehumidifier; wherein the entirety of the airflow generated by theblower passes through the dehumidifier.

In other embodiments of the disclosure, a heating, ventilation, and/orair conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosed as comprising: an indoorunit comprising a blower configured to generate an airflow; and adehumidifier comprising an evaporator and a condenser; wherein at leasta portion of the airflow passes through the evaporator of thedehumidifier, and wherein the entirety of the airflow passes through thecondenser of the dehumidifier.

In yet other embodiments of the disclosure, a method of operating aheating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system is disclosedas comprising: providing an indoor unit and a dehumidifier in an HVACsystem; monitoring the humidity of a zone conditioned by the HVACsystem; generating an airflow via a blower of the indoor unit; passingthe entirety of the airflow through the dehumidifier; reducing thehumidity of the airflow; and delivering the reduced humidity airflow toat least one zone conditioned by the HVAC system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following briefdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings anddetailed description:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an air circulation path of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an air circulation path of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air circulation path of the HVACsystem of FIG. 1 according to yet another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of operating an HVAC system accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified schematic diagram of an HVACsystem 100 is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. HVACsystem 100 generally comprises an indoor unit 102, an outdoor unit 104,and a system controller 106. The system controller 106 may generallycontrol operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or the outdoor unit 104. Asshown, the HVAC system 100 is a so-called heat pump system that may beselectively operated to implement one or more substantially closedthermodynamic refrigeration cycles to provide a cooling functionalityand/or a heating functionality. Additionally, the HVAC system 100 mayalso comprise a dehumidifier 150.

Indoor unit 102 generally comprises an indoor heat exchanger 108, anindoor fan 110, and an indoor metering device 112. The indoor unit 102may generally comprise at least one of a blow through air handling unit(indoor fan 110 disposed near air return) and a pull through airhandling unit (indoor fan 110 disposed near air supply). In anembodiment, indoor heat exchanger 108 is a plate fin heat exchangerconfigured to allow heat exchange between refrigerant carried withininternal tubing of the indoor heat exchanger 108 and fluids that contactthe indoor heat exchanger 108 but that are kept segregated from therefrigerant. In other embodiments, indoor heat exchanger 108 maycomprise a spine fin heat exchanger, a microchannel heat exchanger, orany other suitable type of heat exchanger.

In an embodiment, the indoor fan 110 is a centrifugal blower comprisinga blower housing, a blower impeller at least partially disposed withinthe blower housing, and a blower motor configured to selectively rotatethe blower impeller. In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 maycomprise a mixed-flow fan and/or any other suitable type of fan. Theindoor fan 110 is configured as a modulating and/or variable speed fancapable of being operated at many speeds over one or more ranges ofspeeds. In other embodiments, the indoor fan 110 may be configured as amultiple speed fan capable of being operated at a plurality of operatingspeeds by selectively electrically powering different ones of multipleelectromagnetic windings of a motor of the indoor fan 110. In yet otherembodiments, the indoor fan 110 may be a single speed fan. Whileillustrated and described as a single indoor fan 110, a plurality offans may be present in any system, and each of the fans may be the sameor different than any of the other fans.

In an embodiment, the indoor metering device 112 is an electronicallycontrolled motor driven electronic expansion valve (EEV). In alternativeembodiments, the indoor metering device 112 may comprise a thermostaticexpansion valve, a capillary tube assembly, and/or any other suitablemetering device. The indoor metering device 112 may comprise and/or beassociated with a refrigerant check valve and/or refrigerant bypass foruse when a direction of refrigerant flow through the indoor meteringdevice 112 is such that the indoor metering device 112 is not intendedto meter or otherwise substantially restrict flow of the refrigerantthrough the indoor metering device 112.

Outdoor unit 104 generally comprises an outdoor heat exchanger 114, acompressor 116, an outdoor fan 118, an outdoor metering device 120, anda reversing valve 122. In an embodiment, outdoor heat exchanger 114 is aspine fin heat exchanger configured to allow heat exchange betweenrefrigerant carried within internal passages of the outdoor heatexchanger 114 and fluids that contact the outdoor heat exchanger 114 butthat are kept segregated from the refrigerant. In other embodiments,outdoor heat exchanger 114 may comprise a plate fin heat exchanger, amicrochannel heat exchanger, or any other suitable type of heatexchanger.

In an embodiment, the compressor 116 is a multiple speed scroll typecompressor configured to selectively pump refrigerant at a plurality ofmass flow rates. In alternative embodiments, the compressor 116 maycomprise a modulating compressor capable of operation over one or morespeed ranges, a reciprocating type compressor, a single speedcompressor, and/or any other suitable refrigerant compressor and/orrefrigerant pump.

In an embodiment, the outdoor fan 118 is an axial fan comprising a fanblade assembly and fan motor configured to selectively rotate the fanblade assembly. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may comprise amixed-flow fan, a centrifugal blower, and/or any other suitable type offan and/or blower. The outdoor fan 118 is configured as a modulatingand/or variable speed fan capable of being operated at many speeds overone or more ranges of speeds. In other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118may be configured as a multiple speed fan capable of being operated at aplurality of operating speeds by selectively electrically poweringdifferent ones of multiple electromagnetic windings of a motor of theoutdoor fan 118. In yet other embodiments, the outdoor fan 118 may be asingle speed fan. While illustrated and described as a single outdoorfan 118, a plurality of outdoor fans may be present in any system, andeach of the fans may be the same or different than any of the otherfans.

In an embodiment, the outdoor metering device 120 is a thermostaticexpansion valve. In alternative embodiments, the outdoor metering device120 may comprise an electronically controlled motor driven EEV similarto indoor metering device 112, a capillary tube assembly, and/or anyother suitable metering device. The outdoor metering device 120 maycomprise and/or be associated with a refrigerant check valve and/orrefrigerant bypass for use when a direction of refrigerant flow throughthe outdoor metering device 120 is such that the outdoor metering device120 is not intended to meter or otherwise substantially restrict flow ofthe refrigerant through the outdoor metering device 120.

In an embodiment, the reversing valve 122 is a so-called four-wayreversing valve. The reversing valve 122 may be selectively controlledto alter a flow path of refrigerant in the HVAC system 100 as describedin greater detail below. The reversing valve 122 may comprise anelectrical solenoid or other device configured to selectively move acomponent of the reversing valve 122 between operational positions.

In an embodiment, the system controller 106 may generally comprise atouchscreen interface for displaying information and for receiving userinputs. The system controller 106 may display information related to theoperation of the HVAC system 100 and may receive user inputs related tooperation of the HVAC system 100. However, the system controller 106 mayfurther be operable to display information and receive user inputstangentially and/or unrelated to operation of the HVAC system 100. Insome embodiments, the system controller 106 may not comprise a displayand may derive all information from inputs from remote sensors andremote configuration tools. In some embodiments, the system controller106 may comprise a temperature sensor and may further be configured tocontrol heating and/or cooling of zones associated with the HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may be configured asa thermostat for controlling supply of conditioned air to zonesassociated with the HVAC system 100. Additionally, in some embodiments,the system controller 106 may also be configured to control operation ofthe dehumidifier 150. In some embodiments, the system controller 106 maycontrol operation of the dehumidifier 150 to adjust and/or control ahumidity of the circulating air of HVAC system 100 in response to atarget humidity selected via the system controller 106.

In some embodiments, the system controller 106 may also selectivelycommunicate with an indoor controller 124 of the indoor unit 102, withan outdoor controller 126 of the outdoor unit 104, and/or with othercomponents of the HVAC system 100. In some embodiments, the systemcontroller 106 may be configured for selective bidirectionalcommunication over a communication bus 128. In some embodiments,portions of the communication bus 128 may comprise a three-wireconnection suitable for communicating messages between the systemcontroller 106 and one or more of the HVAC system 100 componentsconfigured for interfacing with the communication bus 128. Stillfurther, the system controller 106 may be configured to selectivelycommunicate with HVAC system 100 components and/or any other device 130via a communication network 132. In some embodiments, the communicationnetwork 132 may comprise a telephone network, and the other device 130may comprise a telephone. In some embodiments, the communication network132 may comprise the Internet, and the other device 130 may comprise asmartphone and/or other Internet-enabled mobile telecommunicationdevice. In other embodiments, the communication network 132 may alsocomprise a remote server.

The indoor controller 124 may be carried by the indoor unit 102 and maybe configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theoutdoor controller 126, and/or any other device 130 via thecommunication bus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication.In some embodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured tocommunicate with an indoor personality module 134 that may compriseinformation related to the identification and/or operation of the indoorunit 102. In some embodiments, the indoor controller 124 may beconfigured to receive information related to a speed of the indoor fan110, transmit a control output to an electric heat relay, transmitinformation regarding an indoor fan 110 volumetric flow-rate,communicate with and/or otherwise affect control over an air cleaner136, and communicate with an indoor EEV controller 138. In someembodiments, the indoor controller 124 may be configured to communicatewith an indoor fan controller 142 and/or otherwise affect control overoperation of the indoor fan 110. In some embodiments, the indoorpersonality module 134 may comprise information related to theidentification and/or operation of the indoor unit 102 and/or a positionof the outdoor metering device 120. Additionally, in some embodiments,the indoor controller 124 may also be configured to control operation ofthe dehumidifier 150. In some embodiments, the indoor controller 124 maycontrol operation of the dehumidifier 150 to adjust and/or control ahumidity of the circulating air of HVAC system 100 in response to atarget humidity selected via the system controller 106.

In some embodiments, the indoor EEV controller 138 may be configured toreceive information regarding temperatures and/or pressures of therefrigerant in the indoor unit 102. More specifically, the indoor EEVcontroller 138 may be configured to receive information regardingtemperatures and pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the indoor heat exchanger 108. Further, the indoor EEV controller138 may be configured to communicate with the indoor metering device 112and/or otherwise affect control over the indoor metering device 112. Theindoor EEV controller 138 may also be configured to communicate with theoutdoor metering device 120 and/or otherwise affect control over theoutdoor metering device 120.

The outdoor controller 126 may be carried by the outdoor unit 104 andmay be configured to receive information inputs, transmit informationoutputs, and otherwise communicate with the system controller 106, theindoor controller 124, and/or any other device 130 via the communicationbus 128 and/or any other suitable medium of communication. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to communicatewith an outdoor personality module 140 that may comprise informationrelated to the identification and/or operation of the outdoor unit 104.In some embodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured toreceive information related to an ambient temperature associated withthe outdoor unit 104, information related to a temperature of theoutdoor heat exchanger 114, and/or information related to refrigeranttemperatures and/or pressures of refrigerant entering, exiting, and/orwithin the outdoor heat exchanger 114 and/or the compressor 116. In someembodiments, the outdoor controller 126 may be configured to transmitinformation related to monitoring, communicating with, and/or otherwiseaffecting control over the outdoor fan 118, a compressor sump heater, asolenoid of the reversing valve 122, a relay associated with adjustingand/or monitoring a refrigerant charge of the HVAC system 100, aposition of the indoor metering device 112, and/or a position of theoutdoor metering device 120. The outdoor controller 126 may further beconfigured to communicate with a compressor drive controller 144 that isconfigured to electrically power and/or control the compressor 116.

The HVAC system 100 is shown configured for operating in a so-calledcooling mode in which heat is absorbed by refrigerant at the indoor heatexchanger 108 and heat is rejected from the refrigerant at the outdoorheat exchanger 114. In some embodiments, the compressor 116 may beoperated to compress refrigerant and pump the relatively hightemperature and high pressure compressed refrigerant from the compressor116 to the outdoor heat exchanger 114 through the reversing valve 122and to the outdoor heat exchanger 114. As the refrigerant is passedthrough the outdoor heat exchanger 114, the outdoor fan 118 may beoperated to move air into contact with the outdoor heat exchanger 114,thereby transferring heat from the refrigerant to the air surroundingthe outdoor heat exchanger 114. The refrigerant may primarily compriseliquid phase refrigerant and the refrigerant may flow from the outdoorheat exchanger 114 to the indoor metering device 112 through and/oraround the outdoor metering device 120 which does not substantiallyimpede flow of the refrigerant in the cooling mode. The indoor meteringdevice 112 may meter passage of the refrigerant through the indoormetering device 112 so that the refrigerant downstream of the indoormetering device 112 is at a lower pressure than the refrigerant upstreamof the indoor metering device 112. The pressure differential across theindoor metering device 112 allows the refrigerant downstream of theindoor metering device 112 to expand and/or at least partially convertto a two-phase (vapor and gas) mixture. The two phase refrigerant mayenter the indoor heat exchanger 108. As the refrigerant is passedthrough the indoor heat exchanger 108, the indoor fan 110 may beoperated to move air into contact with the indoor heat exchanger 108,thereby transferring heat to the refrigerant from the air surroundingthe indoor heat exchanger 108, and causing evaporation of the liquidportion of the two phase mixture. The refrigerant may thereafterre-enter the compressor 116 after passing through the reversing valve122.

To operate the HVAC system 100 in the so-called heating mode, thereversing valve 122 may be controlled to alter the flow path of therefrigerant, the indoor metering device 112 may be disabled and/orbypassed, and the outdoor metering device 120 may be enabled. In theheating mode, refrigerant may flow from the compressor 116 to the indoorheat exchanger 108 through the reversing valve 122, the refrigerant maybe substantially unaffected by the indoor metering device 112, therefrigerant may experience a pressure differential across the outdoormetering device 120, the refrigerant may pass through the outdoor heatexchanger 114, and the refrigerant may reenter the compressor 116 afterpassing through the reversing valve 122. Most generally, operation ofthe HVAC system 100 in the heating mode reverses the roles of the indoorheat exchanger 108 and the outdoor heat exchanger 114 as compared totheir operation in the cooling mode.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of an air circulation path200 of the HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown according to an embodimentof the disclosure. The HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1 may generally beconfigured to circulate and/or condition air of a plurality of zones202, 204, 206 of a structure 201. It will be appreciated that whilethree zones 202, 204, 206 are shown, any number of zones may be presentin the structure 201. The air circulation path 200 of the HVAC system100 may generally comprise a first zone supply duct 208, a second zonesupply duct 210, a third zone supply duct 212, a first zone return duct214, a second zone return duct 216, a third zone return duct 218, a mainreturn duct 220, a main supply duct 222, a plurality of zone dampers224, and an indoor unit 102 comprising an indoor fan 110. In addition tothe components of HVAC system 100 described above, in this embodiment,each HVAC system 100 further comprises a dehumidifier 150 configured toadjust and/or control a humidity of the circulating air of HVAC system100.

Additionally, the HVAC system 100 may further comprise a zone thermostat158 and a zone sensor 160. In some embodiments, a zone thermostat 158may communicate with the system controller 106 and may allow a user tocontrol a temperature setting, a humidity setting, and/or otherenvironmental setting for the zone 202, 204, 206 in which the zonethermostat 158 is located. Further, the zone thermostat 158 maycommunicate with the system controller 106 to provide temperature,humidity, and/or other environmental feedback regarding the zone 202,204, 206 in which the zone thermostat 158 is located. In someembodiments, a zone sensor 160 may also communicate with the systemcontroller 106 to provide temperature, humidity, and/or otherenvironmental feedback regarding the zone 202, 204, 206 in which thezone sensor 160 is located.

The system controller 106 may be configured for bidirectionalcommunication with any zone thermostat 158 and/or zone sensor 160 sothat a user may, using the system controller 106, monitor and/or controlany of the HVAC system 100 components regardless of which zones 202,204, 206 the zone thermostat 158 and/or zone sensor 160 may beassociated. Further, each system controller 106, each zone thermostat158, and each zone sensor 160 may comprise a temperature sensor and/or ahumidity sensor. As such, it will be appreciated that structure 201 isequipped with a plurality of temperature sensors and/or humidity sensorsin the plurality of different zones 202, 204, 206. In some embodiments,a user may effectively select which of the plurality of temperaturesensors and/or humidity sensors is used to control operation of the HVACsystem 100. Thus, when at least one of the system controller 106, thezone thermostat 158, and the zone sensor 160 determines that atemperature and/or humidity of an associated zone has fallen outsideeither the temperature setting or the humidity setting, respectively,the system controller 106 may operate the HVAC system 100 in either thecooling mode or the heating mode to provide temperature conditioned airto at least one of the zones 202, 204, 206.

In operation, the indoor fan 110 may be configured to generate anairflow through the indoor unit 102 to deliver temperature conditionedair from an air supply opening in the indoor unit 102, through the mainsupply duct 222, and to each of the plurality of zones 202, 204, 206through each of the first zone supply duct 208, the second zone supplyduct 210, and the third zone supply duct 212, respectively.Additionally, each of the first zone supply duct 208, the second zonesupply duct 210, and the third zone supply duct 212 may comprise a zonedamper 224 that regulates the airflow to each of the zones 202, 204,206. In some embodiments, the zone dampers 224 may regulate the flow toeach zone 202, 204, 206 in response to a temperature or humidity sensedby at least one temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor carried by atleast one of the system controller 106, the zone thermostat 158, and thezone sensor 160.

Air from each zone 202, 204, 206 may return to the main return duct 220through each of the first zone return duct 214, the second zone returnduct 216, and the third zone return duct 218. From the main return duct220, air may return to the indoor unit 102 through an air return openingin the indoor unit 102. Air entering the indoor unit 102 through the airreturn opening may then be conditioned for delivery to each of theplurality of zones 202, 204, 206 as described above. Circulation of theair in this manner may continue repetitively until the temperatureand/or humidity of the air within the zones 202, 204, 206 conforms to atarget temperature and/or a target humidity as required by at least oneof the system controller 106, the zone thermostat 158, and/or the zonesensor 160.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the dehumidifier 150 isdisposed and/or installed in the main supply duct 222 of the aircirculation path 200 of HVAC system 100 such that substantially all ofthe entirety of the airflow delivered to each of the plurality of zones202, 204, 206 through the main supply duct 222 passes through thedehumidifier 150 to provide “whole-house” dehumidification to theplurality of zones 202, 204, 206 of the structure 201. By disposing thedehumidifier 150 in the main supply duct 222 of the air circulation path200, dehumidification of the temperature conditioned airflow occursafter the airflow exits the air supply opening of the indoor unit 102.Additionally, the need for a secondary fan installed in the dehumidifier150 is eliminated, since the air flow through the dehumidifier 150 isgenerated and/or controlled by the indoor fan 110 of the indoor unit102. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that all of the airflow throughthe dehumidifier 150 is controlled by the indoor fan 110.

Still further, when only dehumidification is needed in the zones 202,204, 206 of the structure 201, the indoor unit 102 may not be operatedto provide cooling and/or heating to the airflow moving through theindoor unit 102. However, the indoor fan 110 may be operated to pass theairflow through the dehumidifier 150 to dehumidify the airflow and passair to at least one of the zones 202, 204, 206, while the remainder ofthe components of the indoor unit 102 remains inactive. Accordingly, anyof the system controller 106, zone thermostat 158, and the zone sensor160 comprising a humidity sensor may determine a need fordehumidification, and in response to the need for dehumidification, thesystem controller 106 may operate the indoor fan 110 and thedehumidifier 150 to generate and dehumidify, respectively, an airflowsupplied to the zones 202, 204, 206. Furthermore, zone dampers 224 maybe operated to control the flow to zones 202, 204, 206 based on thedemand for dehumidification in any one of the zones 202, 204, 206.Additionally, to prevent an excess pressure drop across the dehumidifier150, it will be appreciated that the dehumidifier 150 comprises a crosssectional area of a flowpath through the dehumidifier 150 that issubstantially similar and/or equal to the cross sectional area of themain supply duct 222 in which the dehumidifier 150 is disposed. However,in other embodiments, the dehumidifier 150 may comprise a crosssectional area that is greater than the cross sectional area of the mainsupply duct 222.

Referring now to FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an air circulationpath 300 of the HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown according to anotherembodiment of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the aircirculation path 300 is substantially similar to the air circulationpath 200 of FIG. 2, and the HVAC system 100 may be operated to conditionair through the air circulation path 300 in a substantially similarmanner as air circulation path 200 of FIG. 2. However, the dehumidifier150 of the air circulation path 300 is disposed and/or installed in themain return duct 220 of the air circulation path 300 of HVAC system 100such that substantially all of the entirety of the airflow from each ofthe plurality of zones 202, 204, 206 that is passed to the indoor unit102 passes through the dehumidifier 150 to provide “whole-house”dehumidification to the plurality of zones 202, 204, 206 of thestructure 201. By disposing the dehumidifier 150 in the main return duct220 of the air circulation path 300, dehumidification of the temperatureconditioned airflow occurs prior to the airflow entering the air returnopening of the indoor unit 102. Additionally, similar to the aircirculation path 200 in FIG. 2, the need for a secondary fan installedin the dehumidifier 150 is eliminated, since the air flow through thedehumidifier 150 is generated and/or controlled by the indoor fan 110 ofthe indoor unit 102. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that all of theairflow through the dehumidifier 150 is controlled by the indoor fan110. Additionally, to prevent an excess pressure drop across thedehumidifier 150, it will be appreciated that the dehumidifier 150comprises a cross sectional area of a flowpath through the dehumidifier150 that is substantially similar and/or equal to the main return duct220 in which the dehumidifier 150 is disposed. However, in otherembodiments, the dehumidifier 150 may comprise a cross sectional areathat is greater than the cross sectional area of the main return duct220.

Referring now to FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an air circulationpath 400 of the HVAC system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown according to yetanother embodiment of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that theair circulation path 400 is substantially similar to the air circulationpaths 200, 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the HVAC system 100 may be operatedto condition air through the air circulation path 400 in a substantiallysimilar manner as air circulation paths 200, 300 of FIGS. 2 and 3.However, the dehumidifier 150 of the air circulation path 300 isdisposed and/or installed in the indoor unit 102 of HVAC system 100 suchthat substantially all of the entirety of the airflow from each of theplurality of zones 202, 204, 206 that is passed through the indoor unit102 passes through the dehumidifier 150 to provide “whole-house”dehumidification to the plurality of zones 202, 204, 206 of thestructure 201. By disposing the dehumidifier 150 in the indoor unit 102of the air circulation path 400 of HVAC system 100, dehumidification ofthe temperature conditioned airflow occurs within the indoor unit 102.Additionally, similar to the air circulation paths 200, 300 in FIGS. 2and 3, the need for a secondary fan installed in the dehumidifier 150 iseliminated, since the air flow through the dehumidifier 150 is generatedand/or controlled by the indoor fan 110 of the indoor unit 102.Accordingly, it will be appreciated that all of the airflow through thedehumidifier 150 is controlled by the indoor fan 110.

Accordingly, with the dehumidifier 150 installed in the indoor unit 102,the dehumidifier 150 may be installed in a vacant section of the indoorunit 102 and may be disposed upstream or downstream with respect toother components of the indoor unit 102 (i.e. indoor heat exchanger 108,indoor fan 110). The dehumidifier 150 may also be configured to fit inan existing cabinet section of the indoor unit 102. As such, in someembodiments, the dehumidifier 150 may be configured to fit in and behoused within an air filtration element cabinet section. In someembodiments, the indoor unit 102 may be a “blow through” type airhandling unit with the indoor fan 110 disposed near the air returnopening of the indoor unit 102 and the dehumidifier 150 disposeddownstream of the indoor fan 110 within the indoor unit 102.Alternatively, in other embodiments, the indoor unit 102 may be a “pullthrough” type air handling unit with the indoor fan 110 disposed nearthe air supply opening of the indoor unit 102 and the dehumidifier 150disposed upstream of the indoor fan 110 within the indoor unit 102.

Additionally, to prevent an excess pressure drop across the dehumidifier150, it will be appreciated that the dehumidifier 150 comprises a crosssectional area of a flowpath through the dehumidifier 150 that issubstantially similar and/or equal to the cross sectional area of atleast a portion of the indoor unit 102 in which the dehumidifier 150 isdisposed. However, in other embodiments, the dehumidifier 150 maycomprise a cross sectional area that is substantially similar and/orequal to the cross sectional area of adjacent sections of the indoorunit 102. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the indoor unit 102also comprises a drain pan for which condensate from the indoor heatexchanger 108 may drain. Thus, in some embodiments, the dehumidifier 150may share at least a portion of the drain pan for the indoor heatexchanger 108. Accordingly, condensate from each of the indoor heatexchanger 108 and at least one heat exchanger of the dehumidifier 150may drain into the drain pan of the indoor unit 102.

It should be noted that although embodiments and examples are providedin the context of cooling and/or dehumidification through aircirculation paths 200, 300, 400, the HVAC system 100 and/or thedehumidifier 150 may also be configured to operate in a heating modeand/or a humidifying mode (addition of humidity), respectively, in anyof the above-mentioned embodiments. Further, while the HVAC systems 100is shown as a so-called split system comprising an indoor unit 102located separately from the outdoor unit 104, alternative embodiments ofan HVAC system 100 may comprise a so-called package system in which oneor more of the components of the indoor unit 102 and one or more of thecomponents of the outdoor unit 104 are carried together in a commonhousing or package.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier 500 isshown according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The dehumidifier 500comprises a vapor-compression dehumidification system and may besubstantially similar to and used in place of dehumidifier 150 in FIGS.1-4. The dehumidifier 500 comprises an enclosure 502 configured to housean evaporator 504 upstream from a condenser 506 with respect to anairflow 522 through the dehumidifier 500. In some embodiments, theevaporator 504 and/or the condenser 506 may comprise plate-fin heatexchanger, tube-fin heat exchangers, and/or spine-fin heat exchangersconfigured to exchange heat between a fluid and/or refrigerant withinthe internal passages of the evaporator 504 and/or the condenser 506 andan airflow 522 generated by the indoor fan 110. The dehumidifier 500also comprises a compressor 508 configured to perform substantiallysimilar functions to compressor 116 of FIG. 1 and an expansion device510 configured to perform substantially similar functions to expansiondevices 112, 120 of FIG. 1. While the compressor 508 and the expansiondevice 510 are shown outside of the enclosure 502, in some embodiments,the compressor 508 and/or the expansion device 510 may be disposedwithin the enclosure 502.

Additionally, each of the evaporator 504, condenser 506, compressor 508,and the expansion device 510 may be connected in fluid communication toform a fluid circuit by suction line 514, compressor discharge line 516,condenser discharge line 518, and liquid line 520. Furthermore, thedehumidifier 500 and/or the evaporator 504 may comprise a drain 512 fromwhich condensate from the evaporator 504 may be collected and/or carriedaway from the dehumidifier 500. In embodiments where the dehumidifier500 is disposed in the indoor unit 102, such as the air circulation path400 of FIG. 4, the drain 512 may comprise a common drain with indoorheat exchanger 108 of the indoor unit 102 of HVAC system 100.

In this embodiment, the airflow 522 generated by the indoor fan 110 thatpasses through the dehumidifier 500 passes through each of theevaporator 504 and the condenser 506, such that no portion of theairflow 522 bypasses either the evaporator 504 or the condenser 506. Theevaporator 504 is disposed upstream from the condenser 506 with respectto the airflow 522 through the dehumidifier 500. Accordingly, theevaporator 504 is configured to cool and dehumidify the airflow 522,while the condenser 506 is configured to reheat the airflow 522. In someembodiments, the evaporator 504 may comprise fewer fins and/or tubesthan a conventional evaporator to prevent too high of a pressure dropthrough the dehumidifier 500 since all of the airflow 522 passes throughthe evaporator 504. Additionally, by passing all of the airflow 522generated by the indoor fan 110 through the dehumidifier 500, thedehumidifier 500 provides dehumidification of the airflow 522 atefficiencies of at least about 40% higher to at least about 110% higherthan current commercially available dehumidifiers.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of a dehumidifier 600 isshown according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Thedehumidifier 600 comprises a vapor-compression dehumidification systemand may be substantially similar to and used in place of dehumidifier150 in FIGS. 1-4. Dehumidifier 600 may also be substantially similar todehumidifier 500 in FIG. 5. As such, dehumidifier 600 comprises anenclosure 602, an evaporator 604 upstream from a condenser 606 withrespect to an airflow 622 through the dehumidifier 600, a compressor608, an expansion device 610, a drain 612, a suction line 614, acompressor discharge line 616, a condenser discharge line 618, and aliquid line 620 that are substantially similar to the enclosure 502, theevaporator 504, the condenser 506, the airflow 522, the compressor 508,the expansion device 510, the drain 512, the suction line 514, thecompressor discharge line 516, the condenser discharge line 518, and theliquid line 520 of dehumidifier 500 of FIG. 5.

However, in this embodiment, the dehumidifier 600 comprises anevaporator bypass section 624 through which at least a portion of theairflow 622 generated by the indoor fan 110 may bypass the evaporator604, while the entire airflow 522 passes through the condenser 606. Assuch, only a portion of the airflow 522 that passes through theevaporator 604 may be cooled and/or dehumidified by the evaporator 604,while the entire airflow 522 may be heated and/or reheated by thecondenser 606. The evaporator bypass section 624 may be located above atop end of the evaporator 604 as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, in someembodiments, the evaporator bypass section 624 may be located below abottom end of the evaporator 604. However, in other embodiments, thedehumidifier 600 may comprise a plurality of evaporator bypass sections624, such that a first evaporator bypass section 624 may be locatedabove the top end of the evaporator 604, and a second evaporator bypasssection 624 may be located below the bottom end of the evaporator 604.By providing an evaporator bypass section 624, the evaporator 604 maycomprise a smaller size and/or a smaller capacity than that of thecondenser 606 to accommodate the evaporator bypass section(s) 624.Additionally, by bypassing the evaporator 604 with a portion of theairflow 522, a lower pressure drop may occur through the dehumidifier600 as compared to conventional dehumidifiers. Still further, thedehumidifier 600 provides dehumidification of the airflow 622 atefficiencies of at least about 40% higher to at least about 110% higherthan current commercially available dehumidifiers.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a flowchart of a method 700 of operating anHVAC system 100 is shown according to an embodiment of the disclosure.The method 700 may begin at block 702 by providing a dehumidifier in anHVAC system 100. In some embodiments, a dehumidifier 150, 500, 600 maybe provided in the HVAC system 100. Additionally, in some embodiments,the dehumidifier 150, 500, 600 may be disposed in at least one of a mainsupply duct 222, a main return duct 220, and an indoor unit 102 in anair circulation path 200, 300, 400, respectively, in the HVAC system100. The method 700 may continue at block 704 by generating an airflow522, 622 through the dehumidifier. In some embodiments, the airflow 522,622 may be generated solely by the indoor fan 110 of indoor unit 102 ofthe HVAC system 100. The method 700 may continue at block 706 byreducing the humidity of the airflow 522, 622. In some embodiments,reducing the humidity of the airflow 522, 622 may be accomplished bypassing the airflow 522, 622 through the dehumidifier 150, 500, 600.However, in some embodiments, reducing the humidity of the airflow 522,622 may be accomplished by passing substantially the entirety of theairflow 522, 622 through an evaporator 504 of the dehumidifier 500.However, in yet other embodiments, reducing the humidity of the airflow522, 622 may be accomplished by passing at least a portion of theairflow 522, 622 through an evaporator 604 of the dehumidifier 600 andfurther passing at least a portion of the airflow 522, 622 through anevaporator bypass section 624. The method 700 may conclude at block 708by delivering the reduced humidity airflow 522, 622 to at least one zone202, 204, 206 of a structure 201 conditioned by the HVAC system 100. Insome embodiments, delivering the reduced humidity airflow 522, 622 to atleast one zone 202, 204, 206 conditioned by the HVAC system 100 may beaccomplished by passing the reduced humidity airflow through a mainsupply duct 222 and/or at least one zone supply duct 208, 210, 212 of atleast one of the air circulation paths 200, 300, 400 of HVAC system 100.

At least one embodiment is disclosed and variations, combinations,and/or modifications of the embodiment(s) and/or features of theembodiment(s) made by a person having ordinary skill in the art arewithin the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that resultfrom combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of theembodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Wherenumerical ranges or limitations are expressly stated, such expressranges or limitations should be understood to include iterative rangesor limitations of like magnitude falling within the expressly statedranges or limitations (e.g., from about 1 to about 10 includes, 2, 3, 4,etc.; greater than 0.10 includes 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, etc.). For example,whenever a numerical range with a lower limit, R₁, and an upper limit,R_(u), is disclosed, any number falling within the range is specificallydisclosed. In particular, the following numbers within the range arespecifically disclosed: R=R₁+k*(R_(u)−R₁), wherein k is a variableranging from 1 percent to 100 percent with a 1 percent increment, i.e.,k is 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 4 percent, 5 percent, . . . , 50percent, 51 percent, 52 percent, . . . , 95 percent, 96 percent, 97percent, 98 percent, 99 percent, or 100 percent. Unless otherwisestated, the term “about” shall mean plus or minus 10 percent of thesubsequent value. Moreover, any numerical range defined by two R numbersas defined in the above is also specifically disclosed. Use of the term“optionally” with respect to any element of a claim means that theelement is required, or alternatively, the element is not required, bothalternatives being within the scope of the claim. Use of broader termssuch as comprises, includes, and having should be understood to providesupport for narrower terms such as consisting of, consisting essentiallyof, and comprised substantially of Accordingly, the scope of protectionis not limited by the description set out above but is defined by theclaims that follow, that scope including all equivalents of the subjectmatter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as furtherdisclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) ofthe present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning(HVAC) system, comprising: an indoor unit comprising a blower configuredto generate an airflow; and a dehumidifier; wherein the entirety of theairflow generated by the blower passes through the dehumidifier.
 2. TheHVAC system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier comprises an evaporatorand a condenser, wherein the evaporator is disposed upstream from thecondenser with respect to the airflow through the dehumidifier.
 3. TheHVAC system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the airflowbypasses the evaporator through an evaporator bypass section.
 4. TheHVAC system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier is disposed in a mainreturn duct of the HVAC system.
 5. The HVAC system of claim 1, whereinthe dehumidifier is disposed in a main supply duct of the HVAC system.6. The HVAC system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier is disposed inthe indoor unit of the HVAC system.
 7. The HVAC system of claim 6,wherein the dehumidifier comprises a common drain with an indoor heatexchanger of the indoor unit of HVAC system.
 8. A heating, ventilation,and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising: an indoor unitcomprising a blower configured to generate an airflow; and adehumidifier comprising an evaporator and a condenser; wherein at leasta portion of the airflow passes through the evaporator of thedehumidifier, and wherein the entirety of the airflow passes through thecondenser of the dehumidifier.
 9. The HVAC system of claim 8, whereinthe entirety of the airflow generated by the blower passes through thedehumidifier.
 10. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein at least a portionof the airflow bypasses the evaporator through an evaporator bypasssection.
 11. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein the dehumidifier isdisposed in at least one of a main return duct and a main supply duct ofthe HVAC system.
 12. The HVAC system of claim 11, wherein the blower isconfigured to deliver the airflow from an air supply opening in theindoor unit to at least one zone through the main supply duct, andwherein the indoor unit is configured to receive a return airflowthrough a main return duct.
 13. The HVAC system of claim 9, wherein thedehumidifier is disposed in the indoor unit of the HVAC system.
 14. TheHVAC system of claim 13, wherein the dehumidifier comprises a commondrain with an indoor heat exchanger of the indoor unit of HVAC system.15. The HVAC system of claim 8, wherein the blower is configured togenerate the airflow and pass the airflow through the dehumidifier todehumidify the airflow while the indoor unit is not being operated toprovide heating or cooling to the airflow.
 16. A method of operating aheating, ventilation, and/or air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:providing an indoor unit and a dehumidifier in an HVAC system;monitoring the humidity of a zone conditioned by the HVAC system;generating an airflow via a blower of the indoor unit; passing theentirety of the airflow through the dehumidifier; reducing the humidityof the airflow; and delivering the reduced humidity airflow to at leastone zone conditioned by the HVAC system.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the dehumidifier is disposed in a main return duct of the HVACsystem.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the dehumidifier is disposedin a main supply duct of the HVAC system.
 19. The method of claim 16,wherein the dehumidifier is disposed in the indoor unit of the HVACsystem.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein reducing the humidity of theairflow is accomplished when the indoor unit is not being operated toprovide heating or cooling to the airflow.